This strawberry cake is so easy to make that it is truly unbelievable. The whole recipe comes together in just minutes, making the most perfect, stunning cake you have ever baked. Well, there is actually no baking involved at all! That is just part of this delicious cake's charm. You must give this strawberry cake a try this spring when the berries are fresh and juicy. Make it just once and you will be instantly hooked!
What is Charlotte Cake Exactly
Strawberry Charlotte cake is a decorative no-bake Strawberry cake that uses store-bought ladyfingers. The cake is the most delicious cross between Tiramisu and Fraisier cake; has the benefit of lovely ladyfinger biscuits (just like tiramisu) combined with delicious vanilla mousseline cream and strawberries (just like fraisier cake).
Charlotte Cake Origin
Each country has its own interpretation of strawberry cake, eg. Victoria sponge cake in the UK, Strawberry shortcake in the US, Fraisier cake in France, and yes because we talk about France, they also have another super delicious and famous strawberry cake called Charlotte cake (Charlotte aux Fraises).
Charlotte cake, also called Charlotte Russe Cake is a classic French cake recipe from the eighteenth century. You might have heard of Charlotte Royale cake, which is similar in terms of overall taste, but very different in terms of design; the ladyfingers are replaced by slices of swiss roll.
What is Mousseline Cream Filling
Crème Mousseline (also called German buttercream) is a silky, fluffy yet stable cream made of pastry cream and butter. It can be used as a cream filling for cakes, and cupcakes and it is also super popular in French-style recipes eg. Sable Breton tart, Fraisier cake, Paris Brest, or this Charlotte cake.
Ingredients for the Crème Mousseline (Also Called German Buttercream)
Milk: Use high-fat content milk, the highest you can get! It makes a huge difference when it comes to the deepness of the taste
Sugar: Simple, white granulated sugar is perfectly fine
Egg: Use egg yolk only for the best texture and flavor.
Flour: Flour is one of the thickening agents in this pastry cream recipe, use All-purpose flour. No, it won’t taste like flour!
Starch: Corn starch is the other thickening agent in the recipe, theoretically you could only use flour OR only starch however I prefer 50%-50%.
Vanilla: Vanilla is THE heart of making pastry cream! Avoid using artificial vanilla. I personally love to make my own vanilla extract.
Butter: Always use unsalted butter as you want to be in control of the quality of the salt. In my recipes, I always use 82% European-style butter.
Ingredients for the Strawberry Coulis
Strawberry: Strawberry is used twice in this Charlotte cake recipe! I suggest using fresh strawberries for the decoration, and both fresh and frozen strawberries can work for the strawberry coulis.
Sugar: A small amount of granulated sugar will be used to make the coulis.
Lemon juice: A small amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice will bring the flavor of the strawberries out and balance the sweetness.
How to Make the Mousseline Cream Filling
For a video recipe, visit the original Charlotte cake recipe.
- Whisk together sugar and egg yolk until slightly fluffy
- Mix in cornstarch, flour, and vanilla
- Bring milk to a boil in a saucepan, then pour the warm milk over the egg yolk mixture slowly while whisking vigorously
- Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook on medium heat for a few minutes until it thickens.
- Add in room temperature soft butter and mix until completely incorporated then let it come to room temperature
- Once the pastry cream is cooled to room temp, prepare the mousseline cream by whipping room temperature butter first for 1-2 minutes. Start adding in the room temp pastry cream in 4 stages until the cream reaches a stable yet fluffy texture
How to Make the Strawberry Coulis
- In a saucepan cook strawberry puree, sugar, and lemon juice for a few minutes until slightly thickens
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature before using
How to Assemble the Cake
For a video recipe, visit the original Charlotte cake recipe.
- Start to build up the cake from bottom to top. Arrange the ladyfingers in a circle around the side of a mousse ring or spring form. Then, arrange the ladyfingers on the bottom - trim the ladyfingers if needed, in order to fit them close to each other
- Drizzle the ladyfingers with the strawberry coulis.
- Pipe or spoon half of the cream on top of the ladyfingers. Place strawberry pieces on top of the cream
- Place another layer of ladyfingers on top and again, drizzle with the strawberry coulis. Pipe the rest of the cream on top. Smooth the top with an offset spatula
- Place the cake into the fridge for 4 few hours, or overnight
- Decorate with fresh strawberries and edible flowers
- Store in fridge
Expert Tips
- When making the mousseline cream, the temperature is critical. Both pastry cream as well as butter must be at room temperature
- Strawberry can be easily substituted in the recipe with raspberry or any other berries
- Mousseline cream can also be substituted with mascarpone - similarly to making tiramisu
For more expert tips, visit the original Charlotte cake recipe.
More Strawberry Desserts
What can be more spring-like than the first taste of fresh seasonal strawberries? This strawberry crunch cake has the most amazing texture, taste, and tempting appearance. The cookie crumb-coated exterior made from Golden Oreos and freeze-dried strawberries perfectly contrasts a moist sponge and smooth, silky piped cream cheese topping. You're going to love it.
Go to the recipe: Strawberry Crunch Cake
Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
Can’t decide between cheesecake and cookies? You don´t have to, make these easy strawberry cheesecake cookies! They are chewy, with a cheesecake filling inside, and have amazing strawberry flavor too. Say what? The tangy cream cheesecake filling perfectly complements the sweet cookie dough. It's incredible!
Go to the recipe: Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies
Strawberry Crunch Cupcake
Strawberry crunch, but bite-sized! These strawberry crunch cupcakes are such a cute dessert to make for parties in March, and they pack a huge amount of flavor for something so small. The strawberry shortcake crumb on top is the most delicious garnish.
Go to the recipe: Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes
Fraisier Cake
This is one of the fanciest strawberry desserts ever! Learn how to make the traditional French Fraisier cake. No doubt, elegant Fraisier cake is often seen in Patisserie windows and revered as a famous French pastry dessert. As fancy as it looks, making French Fraisier cake is, in fact, rather easy. Buttery, fluffy sponge layers, decadent vanilla bean créme mousseline, and fresh strawberries are all you need.
Go to the recipe: Fraisier Cake
Mini Strawberry Tartlets
One could say that these are the daintiest spring pastry desserts you've ever seen. Tarte aux Fraises aka strawberry tartlet is a French delicacy that combines all the best elements of baking, crisp pastry, creamy crème pâtissière, and sweet, ripe strawberries. If you're uncertain, first learn how to make sweet shortcrust pastry with this step-by-step tutorial.
Go to the recipe: Strawberry Tartlet
Strawberry Muffins
Sweet, light, and packed with fruity flavor, these strawberry muffins are the perfect addition to your breakfast or brunch menu. This easy strawberry muffin recipe uses fresh strawberries and a hint of vanilla flavor to create a delicious and versatile muffin that the whole family will love. And they only take 30 minutes to bake!
Go to the recipe: Strawberry Muffins
Strawberry Cupcakes
These berry-delicious homemade strawberry cupcakes aren’t just any old ordinary cupcakes! They feature super moist and fluffy aromatic vanilla cake crowned with luscious fresh strawberry cream cheese frosting!
Go to the recipe: Strawberry Cupcakes
Strawberry Galette
Making this easy Strawberry Galette recipe takes literally zero effort with incredible delicious results, the most perfect spring pie! Flaky and buttery pie crust - that comes together in 3 minutes - loaded with strawberries and baked to perfection!
Go to the recipe: Strawberry Galette
Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
If you are looking for the perfect fruity dessert to impress guests at your next birthday party, celebration, or gathering, these no-bake cheesecake bites are just what you are looking for. Made with a crunchy graham cracker crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and fresh strawberry topping, they are a fun, bite-sized treat that all ages will love!
Go to the recipe: No Bake Cheesecake Bites
Strawberry Pavlova Cake
This strawberry pavlova cake is the perfect dessert for spring and summer, the most amazing Pavlova dessert ever! Crunchy on the outside, marshmallow texture inside, decorated with homemade whipped cream, fresh strawberry, and some mint leaves!
Go to the recipe: Strawberry Pavlova Cake
Strawberry Pistachio Tart
This strawberry pistachio tart consists of a Pâte Sablée sweet shortcrust pastry filled with silky Pistachio ganache and topped with delicious, fresh strawberries. A beautiful contrast of rich and nutty Pistachio ganache and refreshing fruit in a buttery, sweet but not too sweet melt in the mouth pastry shell. One of the best French tartlets I have ever made!
Go to the recipe: Strawberry Pistachio Tart
More From Spatula Desserts
The best layer cake recipes to make when it´s time to celebrate! When a single sponge cake won't do, opt for layers filled with decadent frostings and fillings and wait for the compliments to pour in.
Go to the recipes: Layer Cake Recipes
Best Fruit Desserts
Love fruit? Here are the best fruit desserts to enjoy at any time of the year. From easy fruit dessert recipes to showstopper cakes and desserts, I'll show you step-by-step how to make them.
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Best Unique Desserts
Unique desserts that capture attention and create a stir! This list of unique dessert ideas that break away from the norm will cause a sensation at any event.
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This article was originally published as Charlotte Cake at Spatula Desserts.
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